2007-07-08 11:41:57 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
& by french crap i'm not trying to insult anyone.
all of the answers i found were the french meaning.
i wanted the ancronym or w/e its called.
and also by "french crap" i didnt mean the french were crap. or the ******* language. i mean i dont want to deal with all of the ******* 5 page answers about how the french made it up that are copied from wikipedia.
so suck it if you want to ***** me out about "calling the french crap".
which i didnt.
2007-07-08 11:59:47 · update #1
Reply if you please (that's it in English)
2007-07-08 11:43:50 · answer #1 · answered by stinkypinkyteddybear 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I haven't read through all the other answers already posted, so I hope I'm not duplicating someone else's response here.
The equivalent English phrase, formally, would be, "THE FAVOR OF A REPLY IS REQUESTED."
Informally, it would be, "Please reply."
A literal translation, word for word, from the French (répondez s'il vous plaît) would be, "respond, if it is pleasing to you," but of course that doesn't work in English, so, "respond if you please."
I know you asked not to be bothered with the French phrase, but this seems like a good opportunity to point out a mistake that many English speakers make in attempting to give the original French phrase: there is no S in the word 'répondez' in French; the verb is 'répondre' and means to answer or respond.
2007-07-08 12:26:06 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means, if you get an invitation to a wedding, party, graduation, retirement party, anything where there is some kind of occasion where they are serving food or liquor to "Respond as soon as possible" Then that gives them, the party planners, a pretty good count on who is going to be there so they know how much to fix or how much not to fix. I had a wedding reception one time, I had LOTS of RSVP's and hardly anyone showed up! I had a 3 tier wedding cake I did myself, ( I am a cake decorator) a big spread of 2 Sandwich trays made by my Mother and sis in law, mints, nuts, punch, you get the picture and most was put in the garbage. That's why they what the RSVP, not all turn out like mine. Sometimes its so strict as to where they put your names at the place you sit. That would be at your most elaborate gatherings. Hope I helped you some.
2007-07-08 11:59:12 · answer #3 · answered by Smokeygirl49 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The French "crap" (which is repondez s'il-vous-plait, FYI) translates to please respond. Repondez, in French meaning respond in English. Vous is a way to say you while showing respect. Finally, sil-vous-plait is they're long, drawn out way of saying please. So basically RSVP means "let me know if you're coming or not." Also, I've heard that the English form is Response Shall Verify Presence, which basically means the same thing.
2007-07-08 11:52:00 · answer #4 · answered by startledstraight 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It IS French crap. It is what is called a loanword/phrase.
Many fashion and art phrases are borrowed directly from the French AS IS without being translated (because the English equivalent would be a whole paragraph of explanation). English is a mish mash of many languages including but limited to German, French, Latin, etc. Many of the words are "Anglicized" but some are quoted straight from their native language.
Consider "dejavu".
2007-07-08 11:44:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sorry, but this phrase actually is taken from the French language:
R.S.V.P.= Répondez S'il Vous Plaît
In English, it literally means "Respond if you please", or translated further, "Respond please".
It's used to say that a reply is necessary (and it's more convenient to say R.S.V.P. as opposed to something longer). If it's seen on an invitation, the host wants to know in advance whether or not you'll come.
_
2007-07-08 11:48:08 · answer #6 · answered by Christy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not true. It's from French. The English language does have some French phrases, like rendezvous. RSVP stands for "Respondez, s'il vous plait." Translation is: "Respond, if it pleases you." Or in better English "Please respond."
2007-07-08 11:44:51 · answer #7 · answered by Kyani 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, but the fact is, the "French crap" is exactly what it means. "Repondez s'il vous plait" means, literally, "Respond, if you please." It's a polite request for a reply one way or the other: either you are accepting the invitation or you are declining. Either way, the host needs to know.
2007-07-08 11:45:03 · answer #8 · answered by danaeseur 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It simply means that the person would like you to let them know if you plan to attend or not. Either way they would like an answer, most often so they can insure that they have enough of everything for all the people attending.
2007-07-08 11:46:30 · answer #9 · answered by PaganPixiePrincessVT 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not true, but you just said you don't want the real answer because it is "french crap" so I don't know what to tell you.
2007-07-08 11:50:32 · answer #10 · answered by julz 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's like if your going to a friends party, and they given you an invitation, it should have an RSVP number, it usually means calling them to tell them if your coming or not. Just 'responding' back to them.
2007-07-08 11:44:57 · answer #11 · answered by Vickyy<3 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋